14 February, 2018

Vermiculite in Pizza Ovens

Did you know that vermiculite can be utilised to make ovens?! Indeed, pizza and bread-baking ovens specifically can be made using vermiculite that is mixed with cement. These ovens can be constructed fairly easily at home with exfoliated vermiculite and other refractory materials such as fire bricks.

Vermiculite is an ideal ingredient in such ovens due to its impressive properties. These properties include excellent fire resistance and insulation. Not only this but vermiculite particles expand when exposed to high temperatures, thus making cracking of the oven wall unlikely. The ovens are wood fired and can stand in your garden as a splendid focal point, and not to mention, a great excuse to host friends and family.

Vermiculite’s ability to insulate plays an important role in such ovens. In order to maintain a high temperature within the oven, the vermiculite and cement mix must be moulded around the outside of the domed oven wall at a thickness of at least 4 inches. If the oven is built without insulation, it will struggle to retain the heat generated from the fire.

With warmer days just a few months away, start building your pizza oven with vermiculite now!